Office of the Federal Public Defender
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News

Announcements and Law Updates

A comprehensive discussion of new Ninth Circuit cases, and of other new legal challenges and ideas, can be found on the Ninth Circuit blog. The Ninth Circuit blog contains Federal Defender Jon Sands' weekly Ninth Circuit summaries, interesting new defense challenges and theories posted by AFPDs David Porter and Steve Sady, and the “Case o’ The Week” memos by Federal Defender Steve Kalar. The Ninth Circuit blog is a useful starting place for the latest developments in federal criminal defense.

To search the Ninth Circuit blog use the white search box next to the orange "B," in the upper left hand corner of the site. Note that many blog entries have been tagged by Judge involved or by subject. Clicking on those tags will pull up all blog entries related to that tag entry.

CJA counsel are encouraged to comment on the blog postings – many new ideas have been fleshed out and enhanced by attorney commentary.

General Orders 72 and 73 Important Notice Regarding COVID-19 (Updated March 16, 2020)

Chief District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton has signed General Order No. 72, IN RE: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency (effective March 16, 2020), and General Order No. 73, Temporary Restrictions on Courthouse Access due to Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency (effective March 17, 2020).  General Orders can be read and downloaded here.

Información disponible en español: ORDEN GENERAL No. 72 REF A: Emergencia de Salud Pública de la Enfermedad del Coronavirus

Please note the following:

No criminal or civil jury trials will be commenced before May 1, 2020.  Any trial dates currently scheduled are vacated.

All civil matters will be decided on the papers, or if the assigned judge believes a hearing is necessary, the hearing will be by telephone or videoconference.

Initial appearances and other criminal proceedings before magistrate judges will continue but will be consolidated, and such proceedings for all divisions will be conducted in San Francisco.  Such proceedings will be conducted by telephone or by videoconference to the extent possible.

All grand jury proceedings in this district are suspended until May 1, 2020.

The requirement under Civil Local Rule 5-1 that a courtesy copy of any filing be provided to the assigned judge’s chambers is suspended pending further notice.

All courthouses within the Northern District of California shall remain closed to the public until May 1, 2020.  This period may be extended by further order.  Only persons with official court business authorized by General Order 72, or by a presiding judge, may enter any federal courthouse within the district.

General Orders 72 and 73 apply only to courthouse facilities and do not apply to executive branch agencies or their facilities at the identified locations.

Candis MitchellND Cal